According to current statistics and estimates, approximately 36 per cent of the people of North-East India are below the poverty level. In Meghalaya, for instance, 50 per cent of the households are below the poverty level. This, according to the auditors of this volume, impiles that those who live below poverty level are unable to buy enough food. In almost all the states of North-East India the availbility of all the food items taken together are much below the standard as recommended for a healthy life.